“We’ll talk when I return,” she said again, moving to the glowing portal.
“Wait, wait. There’s one more thing,” Thornton said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a little black box. “This is yours.”
She stared down at the black box blankly. “What is…”
“I know you’ll be in there for a while, Paxie. I want you to think about forgiving me. I want you to think about giving me a second chance. When you get out, I’ll be waiting.” When she did not respond, he placed his fingers under her chin and lifted her face so that her pained onyx eyes met his cloudy blue ones. “Say you’ll think about it?”
“About what?” she whispered.
Thornton withdrew his fingers from her chin and slid his hand down to grasp hers. He placed the velvet box in the palm of her hand and closed her fingers around it. Pax could hear her own heartbeat pounding loudly in her ears.
“It’s all wrong, I know. I was waiting and waiting for the right moment, and I let a hundred amazing moments pass by because I always felt that a better moment was right around the corner.” Thornton paused, taking a deep breath. “I always felt that way with you. Like every day could only get better. ”
Pax could see the shine of moisture in his eyes, and knew that he was close to tears. “Thorn,” she whispered, “please, don’t…”
“I must. I have to do this now—before you go. I can’t stand the thought that you’ll be in there for years, focusing on your hate and anger toward me as you train.” His hands were hesitant as they caressed her fingers. “If you stew in that wrath it will continue to ferment and escalate. I can’t bear you hating me any more than you already do. Pax, you need to know that I’m serious about fixing things.”
“Shh, Thorn. I know.” She reached up and touched his face as she struggled to hold back her own tears. “Don’t say anything more. Please.”
“I want us to be married,” he said. “And I want you to fry me like extra-crispy bacon if I ever hurt you again.”
Pax could not resist a smile. This was all the encouragement he needed to reach out and snap open the velvet box, revealing a massive brilliant-cut orange diamond. In the lighting, it glinted the color of flame. Even Amara, who owned plenty of jewelry, had a small seizure when she saw the ring he had chosen. Holy fuck, Pax! Do you know what diamond that is? The Tigress Eye! It used to belong to the empress of…
Shut up, Amara. I can’t think.
What is there to think about? He’s my big brother. I know how you feel…
Shut up! Pax could not concentrate as Thornton’s fingers grazed hers. He was gingerly sliding the ring onto her finger. The huge round-shaped orange stone was set in the middle of a row of smaller diamonds. She suddenly felt dizzy and completely unsure of whether it was euphoria or fear that flooded her chest.
“Should I get down on my knees?” Thornton asked with a smile.
“If you do that I will murder you,” she said quickly, her cheeks flushing. Pride, she reminded herself, pride is paramount. Stay strong, Pax. She lifted her eyes to examine his face. It was unbearable to look directly at him, for his sweet sapphire eyes pulled her in magnetically. She felt powerless; it was in her blood. Every drop of her deva blood, and every drop of her human blood called out for him against the logical wishes of her mind. She blinked away tears as her insides warred.
“When you come back,” Thornton said, moving forward and slipping his hands around her waist, “I could prepare a ship for that trip we always planned to take.”
“You’re impossible,” she said. Pax bit her lip and waged a war against her brimming tear ducts. She had spent years dreaming of a honeymoon in space with the man standing before her. It was where their romance had begun, and it was the most romantic venue possible to celebrate their marriage. Without Thornton, the fantasy would not be possible—it would not even be desirable. There was no one else. She felt somewhat imprisoned by the intensity of his gaze, and forced herself to look away.
Pax was surprised to see that there were other people present in the temple. She blinked, seeing how her friends and family members stood as frozen as statues. When she searched the faces of her father and grandmother for strength, she only saw her own confusion mirrored back at her. There was a definite hint of expectation there as well, especially in her Uncle Asher’s smile. Ripping her eyes away from her relatives, she turned to Rose and Vincent. The Kalgrens also seemed torn between anger and hope. Pax was drowning, and could not remember the reasons she had wished to escape. There was only all-consuming optimism. She frantically searched her mind for a fragment of reason or rope of reality which she could clutch to keep afloat.
She looked down at the ring and felt heat spread through her with the overwhelming emotions. Tears pinched and stung the back of her eyes. She returned her gaze to Thornton, feeling her strength completely sapped. All of her defenses had doubts were crumbling. A response came to her lips before she could contain the words.
“Thornton Kalgren,” she said softly. “You drive me fucking insane.”
“Good,” he said with a smile. “I think that means you like me.”
The confidence on his lips was irresistible. She moved forward and pressed her mouth against his smirk to taste his conviction. As she wrapped her arms around his neck and felt the warmth of his chest even through her armor, it occurred to her that he knew. He knew that she had already forgiven him. He knew that she always would. He knew that she was putty in his capable hands, which had naturally moved to her lower back.
Amara sighed at the sight of this movie-worthy kiss. She didn’t know whether she should feel upset that Pax had caved so easily, or overjoyed that her best friend would soon be her sister. She knew that what she did feel was jealousy that her friend would have a happy ending while she could not. Amara was inwardly bemoaning the situation and obvious change of plans when the dark-haired woman stopped kissing her brother and stooped to pick up her travel bags.
Let’s go, Mara. Pax said telepathically.
Feeling her thin blonde eyebrows knit together, Amara responded in bewilderment. I understand if you want to abandon this Para thing and return to him. I'm fine with that. If you want to cancel the training, that’s cool. I know you love him. There’s no way I could refuse if I were in your shoes.
Are you kidding? What am I, a doormat? Pax glanced at Sakra whose face bore a soft unreadable expression. Her eyes then fell upon Amara. I’m not going to abandon you. We began walking down the twisted path together, and I'm not taking any shortcuts. This doesn't feel right. Not here, not now, and not like this. I want to continue following this warped highway and find out where it leads. Let's stick to it until the end.
Paxie, if we enter that zone we’ll be stuck there for years and years. Can you handle being away from him for so long? Don’t you want to be close to him now that you’re engaged, and things are going to be right again?
Since when am I engaged? I didn’t say yes, did I?
Pax! You smooched him!
A flicker of mirth tickled Pax’s skin into creases at the corner of her eyes and lips. I promised you we’d go. We’re going. Even if I do agree to marry him, I’d like for him to suffer for a few days while awaiting my decision.
That’s my girl, thought Amara with pleased relief. I was worried I’d lost you.
Never. Pax turned to look at Vincent. Strength poured into her from his eyes. She remembered the words he had spoken to her in private. Finally, she turned back to Thornton and rubbed his arm gently.
“Give me a few years to think about it,” she said with a sly smile. “I’ll let you know when I return to this dimension.”
“No, you should tell us now, Pax,” Vincent advised. “I’m sure my wife and Amelia would love to begin planning a big expensive wedding. How much do you think it will cost, Rose?”
“Oh, I don’t know! A few million at least. I’ll have to start immediately with the…”
Vincent cocked his thumb in the direction of his wife. �
��See this, Pax? This is the appropriate enthusiastic female response to the concept of a wedding. Even a wedding that seemed ridiculous a few minutes ago because the bride and groom have recently committed murder and adultery, respectively.”
“Vincent, I said that I…”
“No, Pax. You should do it. Marry my son. Just be aware that once you get fat and pregnant he’s going to go and fuck a dozen other women like all human scum tend to do.”
Pax’s eyes snapped open wide in horror at Vincent’s words. She placed a hand on her chest weakly. She knew that Vincent was just trying to push her buttons, but it was working. The man knew exactly where to attack her.
Thornton, however, was not amused. He turned angrily and shouted. “Father! I am not like that! You know me.”
“I know that your decision-making originates from the organ dangling between your legs.”
As soon as these words left Vincent’s mouth, a sickening crack was heard and the man was sent reeling. Thornton had launched his knuckles into his father’s face.
“Stop it, you two! Vince, have you been watching my soap operas again?” asked Rose, shaking her head. “These men! My goodness.”
Vincent growled and picked himself off the floor. Thornton advanced on him with his prana flashing dangerously, and his fists ready for more action.
“Stop it,” said Pax quietly. “Stop it. Vincent may be vulgar and have no manners, but he is not totally wrong. I’m sure you’ve all seen the news recently.”
Thornton paused and turned to her in confusion for a moment before understanding dawned on him. Medea.
“She’s just a business contact, Pax,” Thornton said quickly. “It was just the media twisting…”
Pax smiled. He was blatantly lying, and she would have believed him otherwise. She turned to Amara, sending her a victorious look which somehow carried undertones of defeat. The blonde woman shook her head in disbelief.
“You always have an explanation, don’t you, big brother?” asked Amara, picking up her duffle bag and moving towards the glowing portal. “I’m ashamed to call you family. If it weren’t for the superhuman abilities, I would swear that you had to be adopted.”
“Why is my own family against me?” Thornton asked angrily. “Mara, you should give me the benefit of the…”
“Uh huh,” she said, giving him a scowl almost identical to her father’s. “Though I have to hand it to you. Nice strategy! Proposing to Pax as she’s about to enter a collection of hell dimensions and conditions which are known to induce insanity. She would have to be insane to accept you!”
Amara continued, placing her hands on her hips to echo her mother’s earlier pose. “Not to mention the fact that there will be no men in this dimension. I bet you’re expecting that when Pax leaves the vector zone after years of harsh training and being totally man-starved, she’s going to be desperate and run right back into your arms!” The blonde woman chuckled and stepped onto the portal. The glow began to consume her legs. “Think again! For your information, I’ve invented some really powerful goddess-grade vibrators, so she won’t have any need of you. Goodbye, everyone. Sakra, please send us away.”
The small Indian man cleared his throat to alleviate the awkward moment. “I bless you in your journeys, children. May you find all you seek and more in the Pseudosphere.” With a flourish, Amara and Pax found themselves suddenly separated from their shocked and blushing family members.
Amara pumped her fist triumphantly at the stylish exit. “Damn! There are few pleasures in life greater than telling off my big brother. The looks on all of their faces!”
Meanwhile, Pax had collapsed to the floor and was sitting and staring at her ring. “It’s paramount,” she told herself. “Pride is paramount. I had to be tough and refuse.”
“Honey,” Amara said. “That’s not pride. That’s self-respect.”
What if I lose everything because of my foolish pride? Pax asked herself. She allowed her tears to flow freely, and at the same time she suddenly found herself laughing. “Goddess-grade vibrators? What the hell?"
Amara crouched down too, grinning and rubbing her friend’s arm. “Sorry. It was the best I could come up with on short notice.”
“Mara,” said Pax weakly, displaying her hand. “Look at this thing.”
“I know,” Amara said gravely, “I know.”
“I act like this super tough girl all the time, but I always knew it would be him. And when the moment came, and he was finally saying the words… everything was wrong.” Pax moved the hand with the ring on it to her chest, and clenched it there. “It wasn’t the way I had pictured it. I was… ashamed.”
“It was a pretty disappointing proposal,” Amara agreed.
“Not just the proposal, but what it meant underneath. I swear, a few months ago I would have said ‘yes’ on the spot. I want to underneath it all,” Pax mumbled in a daze. “What if I lost the chance forever? What if I screwed it up?”
“Twelve years together and adventures on other planets. A temporary delay in response isn’t going to screw all of that up.”
“What have I done? I should have agreed. The shame would have disappeared eventually. I would have been happy to be his wife.”
“Maybe you still will be someday. You’ve got plenty of time to consider it, and when we leave maybe you’ll become my sister-in-law!”
“You’ll have to talk me out of it.” Pax suddenly smiled. “Hey, did you really invent goddess-grade vibrators?”
“Well, no. I mainly said it for the shock value.”
Pax let out another burst of laughter and rapidly bounced up into a standing position. She took a good look around at the cubic rest area of the Pseudosphere for the first time. The walls were, in fact, purple. The doors in the walls were bright yellow. Pax moved over to one of the doors and yanked it open. She immediately recoiled from what she saw.
It looked like the darkest reaches of hell during a lightning storm.
White-hot flames filled the area, licking at the open door with a menacing crackle. Swallowing back her fear, Pax boldly stepped through the door. Immediately, the atmosphere transformed around her, and the black sky began to pelt rocks of hail down on her head. She gritted her teeth and turned to Amara.
“Come on in! The weather’s fine.”
Amara stood with her duffle bag at her feet and her mouth slightly open. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“I didn’t come here to goof off, Mara. Let’s get started.”
“I’d like to get settled in first,” the blonde woman said with a gulp. “Maybe you could wait for me to unpack my toothbrush?”
Pax turned her face up to the black sky and laughed as the boulders of hail rained down on her. Amara’s mouth suddenly went very dry to see her friend enjoying the violent assault as though it were a fresh summer rain. Had Pax lost her mind? No. This was the true, uninhibited Pax.
“Can we use coalescence now?” Amara asked meekly, hoping to take advantage of the other woman’s strength and boldness.
“No,” Pax responded. “I want to see what you’re made of, Blondie.”
Amara raised her eyebrows. She noticed the sudden change in Pax’s voice as she turned and walked out into the opaque black area of the vector zone. Amara watched through the doorway nervously, knowing that Pax had flipped the switch and was now in training mode. Amara moved forward slowly, expecting the worst.
Pax placed her hands on her armor-swathed hips and looked over her shoulder with a superior smirk. “I can’t believe what a pitiful excuse for a deva you are, Amara Kalgren. With such an amazing warrior for a father, you would think the daughter would have a backbone.”
“The whole taunting thing isn’t really necessary.”
“Of course not. Because you’re brave enough to step through that doorway without being coaxed like a terrified child?” Pax tilted her head back and snorted. The white flames licked around her body, reflecting off her armor. “You’re such a failure as a deva. You’re older than
I am with purer bloodlines, and you’ve wasted all your free time on improving your wardrobe instead of your mind and body.”
“Pax, please stop that. I’m going to enter the room in a second. I just need to prepare myself.”
“Why are you even here, Amara?” Pax snarled as she assumed Ruby Form. “Suja was right when she said that you were holding me back. I’d gain more from practicing with dirt.”
“Okay, hot stuff. I know you want to get started, but you need to bear with me…”
Pax smiled. “You don’t deserve a deva man. You never deserved my uncle. He was right to leave you.”
“Going too far!” Amara said. “That isn’t going to help me get stronger. That’s going to make me sit and cry.”
“You know who would be a great match for you? Some pencil neck, needle dick weakling with credit cards who can take you shopping.”
“You bitch!” shouted Amara, clenching her fists and sprinting away from the resting area of the vector zone. As soon as her feet hit the white flames of the Pseudosphere, she fell flat on her face.
“Oh my god, Pax! I can’t move!” Amara exclaimed as she tried to get up. Her limbs felt like lead. The white flames scorched her face as she tried to pull herself off the blazing ground. “Help me, please!”
Pax’s face wrinkled in surprise. “Um…” She reached up to scratch her head, in much the same gesture her uncle used when puzzled. Was this a battle strategy? Making her feel sorry and enlisting her help to catch her off guard and attack? “I’m not falling for that, Amara. We have trials to complete, and this is one of them. Come on, get up. Let’s get moving. ”
“Pax, I’m serious. This gravity is insane. My body feels like it weighs a thousand pounds.”
Pax hadn’t noticed this and she tried jumping up and down a few times. “I guess I do feel a bit heavier than normal. But it’s not enough to really make a difference.”
“It makes a difference to me!” Amara screamed.
“How are we going practice anything if you can’t move? I guess I’m just going to stand here and insult you until you can get over here and punch me in the face for it.”
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